“Black Adam” filmmaker Jaume Collet-Serra has been hired by Amazon Studios to direct a movie starring Emily Blunt as pioneering female detective Kate Warne.
Melissa Stack wrote the screenplay from a previous draft by Gustin Nash. The untitled film, described as a “propulsive action thriller,” centers around a real-life Sherlock Holmes-esque character. Kate Warne was the first female detective at the Pinkerton agency and, according to a release, paved the way for future women in law enforcement and forever changed how detective work was done.
Blunt, who will also produce the movie, hasn’t finalized her deal because of the actors strike, but conversations are expected to resume once the guild has a new pact.
Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia and Dany Garcia are producing via their company, Seven Bucks Productions. Kristina Sorensen is producing for With a K Productions. Kimberly Bialek will oversee for Seven Bucks Productions.
Collet-Serra recently directed the Johnson-led anti-hero adventure “Black Adam,” which misfired at the box office and forced Warner Bros. to abandon plans for a sequel. He previously worked with Blunt and Johnson on Disney’s 2021 movie “Jungle Cruise,” based on the theme park ride. He’s also directed horror films like 2005’s “House of Wax,” 2009’s “Orphan” and 2016’s “The Shallows,” as well as a string of Liam Neeson-thrillers including 2015’s “Run All Night” and 2018’s “The Commuter.”
Stack’s credits include Disney’s fantasy comedy “Godmothered” and 20th Century’s romantic comedy “The Other Woman,” starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton. She wrote and is attached to direct “Family Vacation” for 20th Century.